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Increased basic fibroblast growth factor expression following contusive spinal cord injury
I Mocchetti1, S J Rabin, A M Colangelo
1Department of Cell Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
Experimental Neurology
|September 1, 1996
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) increases basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) protein levels and biological activity. This suggests FGF2 may aid in partial recovery after nerve injury.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Neurotrophic factors are vital for neuron survival and regeneration.
- Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is implicated in neuronal repair.
- Previous studies showed increased FGF2 mRNA after spinal cord injury (SCI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if FGF2 protein levels and activity increase after SCI.
- To determine the cellular localization of FGF2 post-injury.
- To assess the role of FGF2 in functional recovery after SCI.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis of spinal cord tissue extracts.
- Immunohistochemistry to visualize FGF2 distribution.
- Assays for biological activity of FGF2, including cell proliferation and protein phosphorylation.
Main Results:
- FGF2 protein levels significantly increased by 4 days post-SCI.
- Increased FGF2 was observed in glial cells and surrounding neurons.
- SCI-induced FGF2 exhibited enhanced biological activity in vitro.
Conclusions:
- SCI upregulates FGF2 expression and biological activity.
- FGF2 may contribute to the partial functional recovery observed after SCI.
- Targeting FGF2 could be a therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury.